The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-08


after he got to the new church on the Circle
became a member in the great revival of 1912
was printer when he delivered those lectures
TO young men, and In the course of printing
them Il at work in the shop where they
were published) / was much in contact with
him. They were published by the old jobbing
house of E. Chamberlain. who was afterwards
bookseller here. The Indiana Farmer was
printed in the Office where l worked, published
by Quaker named Willis. Mr.. Beecher was
really the life and soul OF it-wrote all the
articles in it that were good for anything. /
frequently assisted him ia reading proofs. He
had no practical experience as agri-
culturist except that he was thoroughly
alive to every thing. He took
great pride in raising flowers, and his
garden was full of plants that had
never been seen here before. Dur ing Beechers
revival meetings, / think as much to test my
sincerity and earnestness as anything else, he
invited me to come to his house at o'clock in
the morning and breakfast with him. It was
winter morning and before daylight Mrs
Beecher and the children we're up, everything in
perfect order, and breakfast ready. He called
his wife and children together for family wor-
seemed to me the most beautiful and touching
thing l ever saw in my life Mr. Beecher l
thought, was even then broad in his ideas and
the most industrious man I ever knew. For
time he lived in side Of little one story
house in the alley half square north of Wash
ington street between East and New Jersey
streets, in the rear Of where the Jewish Syna-
gogue now stands. think there were three
rooms. At another time he occupied house
that stood near the southeast corner of Pennsyl-
vania and New York streets. l mention this
place to speak of his great will power. He has
told me that during malaral season he preached
when he could hardly stand up, and making his
way home would, on entering his door, fall from
exhaustion.
'Tilghman A. Howard was a deeply religious
man. When in the city he was in the habit of
coming to hear Mr. Beecher and of attending
his prayer-meetings. / think Mr.. Howard. for
pure intellect and magnanimous greatness, was
the most remarkable man I ever spoke with.
He took great delight in all Mr.. Beecher's serv-
ices, and seldom missed one when in the city.
"Mr Beecher went double-loaded. Hugh
O'Ne.l, Charles Cady and John b. Dillon were
among the men he fixed his heart upon having
Sometimes he would 60 to church with ser
mon specially prepared for one Of these some
other person he desired. If the person was not
present he would preach a very different
mon. At other times, when the person would
be there when he had prepared general SER
mon he would lay that aside and preach the
other. l remember his baptizng Cary H.
Boatright in White river, near the old wooden
bridge Boatright had been very hard char
acter here. He also baptized Thomas A. Morris.
afterwards General Morris. Morris was then
one of the finest men physically You can imagine,
and splendid young fellow. The bridge was
lined with spectators. and it was scene long to
be remembered. Robert Browning told me that
Beecher painted his own house, and described
him as coming to the drug store with an old
horse and a shambliDg wagon after the material.
AS the paints were being got out for him, MIR.
Beecher suddenly remarked that he had forgot
ten something and. jumping into the wagon,
great clatter. He soon after returned and got
his supplies explaining that he had forgotten
engagement he had to marry a couple that
morning He found them waiting, tied the knot
and returned for his paint
81 came here" said Mr.. William N. jackson.
Sin 1884 The new church, think, was formed
in 1888, and my impression Is that Mr. Beecher
took charge in 1889. 1t WAS greatly church
for young people. He gathered good people to-
gether, but he got some as rough as could be-
| among them Cary Boatright, whom he after
| wards baptized. Mr.. Beecher went about the
| State a good deal, preaching. not lecturing. at
| Madison. Logansport, Lafayette. Terre Haute
and Fort Wayne. He lived very happily here
| the happiest years of his married life, probably,
| he spent IN indianapolis He attracted young
men, who liked his openness and candor his
charming directness Of manner. II he had any
| thing to say he said it. even il it hurt little.
He had no animosties. He showed me letters
from Brooklyn, offering him the pastorate there.
1t was after his book, Lectures to Young Men.
was published that the trustees of the Brooklyn
| church wrote to him, saying they wanted the
author of those lectures. Mr.. Beecher always
| said it was not the salary that took HIM away.
| He said he could live anywhere, but he wanted
| to be where the field Of usefulness would be
| larger"
Said Mr.. George w. Sloan: II was a boy
when Mr.. Beecher preached here. but happened
| to be with my father the first train that LEFT
| Indianapolis for Madison on the then first roaC
| entering the city. 1t vas on a Saturday morn
ing in October. 1S47, and Mr.. Beecher was or
the train, on his way to Madison, there to take
a steamer for Cincinnati. whence he would go OF
| to Brooklyn to preach his trial sermon. My
father and myself also went up on the steamboa
from Madison to Cincinnati Mr. Beecher hat
an appointment to preach in Cincinnati on Sun
day morning. There was fog upon the river
and the beat did not get to Cincinnati until afte
~ o'clock. I remember Mr.. Beecher nervously
walking up and down the deck of the boat, much
annoyed at the delay and the consequent dsap
pointment.
When Mr.. Beecher came to break up house
keeping here, he divided his flowers and plant
among half dozen more persons. remem
Der going to his garden, where he dug up plant
| for me to carry home to my mother. Beeche
!, was the first person to bring rare plants an
flowers to this city and give a taste for foricul
ture.
| Eret Nf w
Simon Yandes, whom the reporter found at hi
, Office. twas in July, 1882 when I came bac
) from law school. The Second Church had o,